Galaxy top Chivas, book date with FC Dallas in U-17 Cup

July 30, 20119:27AM EDT

Travis Clark

FRISCO, Texas — It was a SuperClasico to remember for some of Southern California’s most promising prospects on Friday night.

Two early goals in the first ten minutes by the Galaxy were key in a 3-1 win over Chivas USA, clinching a spot in the Generation adidas Cup final on Sunday. Sebastion Velasquez and Esteban Rodriguez both tallied early, as LA managed to fight through tired legs to secure the win.

“It’s our fourth game in five days,” LA head coach Kenny Arena said. “At this level, as kids get older that requires a lot of work physically and in this heat. That, combined with it being a Clasico, it got quite chippy. The guys hung in there, did a great job to get the win.”

Up two goals early in the half, LA absorbed pressure from a feisty Chivas side after taking the early lead. However, not willing to go down without a fight, Kevin de la Torre scored right after the break to pull one back.

However, with time running out in the match, Brendan Hines-Ike was sent off for a foul in the penalty area, and Velasquez stepped up to the spot and slotted him for a brace to seal the win.

For Arena, the win came as a result of covering the basics.

“I think we were opportunistic with our chances, and we defended well,” he said.

Their opponent in Sunday’s final will be host side FC Dallas, who defeated D.C. United by a 3-0 score in Friday’s other semifinal.

D.C. controlled possession in much of the early going, but were caught napping at the back, as a long ball found speedy U.S. youth international Alfred Koroma in behind, and he calmly beat goalie Alex Docker to open the scoring.

Dallas added two more goals, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

“It was a complicated [win], but we kept a zero at the back and I think we did well,” goalie Richard Sanchez said after the game.

Other action on Friday included a frenetic finish between Sporting KC and San Jose. With Sporting down 4-2 with two minutes remaining, Nate Opperman scoring twice in those last two minutes to earn a 4-4 draw — with KC winning 5-4 on penalty kicks.